Pocket loss prevention device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a device which removably attaches to a pocket or other type of open enclosure in a garment to prevent the loss of items through accidental loss or theft. The device is comprised of a threaded shaft with a generally flat head which is received by a nut with corresponding interior threads. The threaded shaft extends through the interior and exterior fabric of the pocket and is held in place by the nut, thereby closing off the opening in the pocket and securing the items carried therein. The degree to which the pocket opening is enclosed is controlled by the user so that a balance can be struck between security and convenience of access to the items in the pocket according to the needs of the particular user. The nut is preferably contained in a housing constructed of a material which can be comfortably worn next to the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices designed to prevent the loss of items carried in pockets or other enclosures in garments through accidental loss or theft, and more particularly, to devices detachably mounted to clothing to close off the opening of a pocket to prevent the loss of such items.

2. The Prior Art

The desire to prevent the accidental or unauthorized removal of an object from a pocket or other open enclosures in garments has led to the development of many types of devices directed thereto. However, all such devices suffer from drawbacks of one kind or another. Some devices do not sufficiently secure objects in the pocket and still allow a wallet or other items to fall out. On the other end of the spectrum, some devices secure objects so forcefully that removal of objects in the pocket requires an inordinate amount of force or otherwise becomes awkward. Some devices are too bulky and are uncomfortable to use or result in the reduced aesthetic appeal of the garment during use. Still other devices require permanent modification of the object to be secured, such as the affixing of a nut to the exterior of the wallet. What is needed is a device that provides a means for preventing the accidental or unauthorized removal of a wallet or other object from a pocket and at the same time does not require excessive effort to remove the item when so desired. The device should be small enough not to cause discomfort and inconspicuous enough not to diminish the aesthetic appeal of the garment during use. The device should not require any kind of modification to the wallet or other item to be secured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device which is removably attached to a garment and secures items in the pocket or other garment enclosure, thereby preventing accidental or unauthorized removal of items from the pocket.

The device comprises a threaded shaft with a generally flat head on one end. The other end of the threaded shaft extends through holes in the fabric on the exterior and interior of the pocket. The threaded shaft is received by a nut on the opposite side of the interior surface of the garment. The nut is preferably housed in a padded, yielding material which can comfortably rest next to the body. Rotation of the threaded shaft and/or rotation of the nut causes the threaded shaft to be secured in the nut, thus closing off the opening of the pocket or other enclosure of a garment. By rotating the threaded shaft accordingly, the effective length of the assembly can be lengthened or shortened and can thereby increase or reduce the size of the opening of the pocket to suit the needs of the particular user.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new pocket loss prevention device which has many of the advantages of the devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new pocket loss prevention device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art pocket loss prevention devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a pocket loss prevention device which prevents the accidental loss or theft of a wallet or other items in a pocket or other enclosure in a garment.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a pocket loss prevention device which allows the user to adjust the size of the opening of the pocket to attain the optimal balance of security and convenient access to the object.

It is still further an object of this invention to provide a pocket loss prevention device to secure items in a pocket or other enclosure in a garment which is not uncomfortable to the wearer and is inconspicuous enough not to detract from the aesthetic value of the garment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new pocket loss prevention device, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new pocket loss prevention device, which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new pocket loss prevention device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such pocket loss prevention device economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new pocket loss prevention device that would be small in size and simplicity would make it inexpensive, while its construction would make it strong, durable and resistant to wear.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other additional objects of the present invention will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art upon gaining an understanding of the preferred embodiment as described in the following detailed description and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components of the pocket loss prevention device.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pocket loss prevention device.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the pocket loss prevention device shown securing a wallet inside a pocket.

FIG. 4 is a view of the pocket loss prevention device as it would typically be positioned on a pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein, a preferred embodiment, with like parts designated by like reference numerals and with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the claims to the illustrated preferred embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the pocket loss prevention device 20 is shown to contain a threaded shaft 24 containing a first end 36 and a second end 38. The first end 36 contains a head 22. The second end 38 of the threaded shaft 24 is inserted through the fabric on the exterior 32 of a pocket. Contact with the fabric prevents the head 22 from passing through the pocket, and the head 22 remains on the exterior 32 of the pocket with the threaded shaft 24 protruding inward. The size and shape of the head 22 can be varied so as to most effectively secure the opening of a pocket or other enclosure. By way of example, a flat circular head approximately one half inch in diameter has been found to effectively secure the opening of a pocket.

The second end 38 of the threaded shaft 24 extends through the fabric of the interior 34 of the pocket into a nut 26 with interior threads 28 into which the second end 38 of the threaded shaft 24 is received. The size and shape of the nut 26 are selected so as to minimize or altogether eliminate any discomfort when worn next to the body, and the nut is preferably housed in a soft, yielding material suitable for this purpose. By rotating the threaded shaft 24 accordingly, the effective length of the assembly can be lengthened or shortened and can thereby increase or reduce the size of the opening of the pocket to suit the needs of the particular individual. The device can be tightened so as to bring the interior 34 and exterior 32 of the pocket into contact with one another and provide the maximum amount of security to the objects contained therein. Alternatively, the device can be used more loosely, affording some security to the items in the pocket while at the same time allowing convenient access to the items.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the pocket loss prevention device 20 is shown as it would typically be positioned on a pocket. Only the head 22 of the device is visible when used in this manner. The pocket loss prevention device 20 is small and inconspicuous and does not reduce the aesthetic appeal of the garment with which it is used. The device as described does not cause discomfort to the wearer during use and, most importantly, provides protection against the accidental or unauthorized removal of items from the pocket.

The bulk of the foregoing discussion has described the use of a pocket loss prevention device 20 in connection with a pocket; however, the device is suitable for use with any open enclosure in a garment.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended that the invention be limited to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further discussion relevant to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention shall be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered illustrative of only the principles of the present invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the claims to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims. Therefore the foregoing is considered illustrative of the principles of the present invention. 

1. A pocket loss prevention device, comprising: a threaded shaft and a nut; the threaded shaft containing a first end and a second end; the first end having a head attached thereto, the head being of such dimension that when the second end of the threaded shaft is inserted through an opening in the fabric of a garment, the head makes contact with the fabric and keeps the first end and second end of the threaded shaft on opposite sides of the fabric; and the nut containing interior threads to receive the second end of the threaded shaft.
 2. The pocket loss prevention device of claim 1, wherein the nut is housed in a material which is comfortably worn next to the body.
 3. The pocket loss prevention device of claim 1, wherein the head is of a generally flat, generally circular dimension.
 4. The pocket loss prevention device of claim 3, wherein the head is of a generally flat, generally circular dimension with a diameter of approximately one half inch. 